Microsoft releases new Xbox One update, doubles Games with Gold offer

A brand new Xbox One update is now available for those of you in the Preview program, and it brings a highly requested feature to the game console: voice messages. Originally included with the Xbox 360, Microsoft launched the Xbox One without the feature, and it's taken them until now to add it back in.

The voice messaging functionality allows you to send messages to your friends without having to type awkwardly on the controller. Now that the feature is available on Xbox One, you'll be able to send voice messages to friends using either Xbox 360s or Xbox Ones.

The Xbox One update also brings dedicated servers for party chat, which are used in the event that peer-to-peer connections become unreliable. The What's On area, which highlights popular content such as movies, TV shows, and games, is now available in Canada and the UK (as well as the US) in this update as well.

Currently the update is only available to Preview program participants, but it should go live for the general public in April.

Xbox One owners will get two free games accessible throughout the whole month: Pool Nation FX and Child of Light. Meanwhile, Xbox 360 owners will be able to download Gears of War: Judgment and Terraria in the first half of the month, followed by Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag and Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel in the second half.